Athletic departments are now in an era where the employment of part-time coaches has become a necessity in order to provide sufficient numbers of staff for their teams. Part-time coaches include any person who serves in a salaried and titled coaching position, either as an off-the-street coach (not a school employee) or as an in-house teacher for a grade or subject, who is assigned coaching duties. This need to employ part-time coaches comes at the same time that more athletes, when they become injured, are taking legal action against physical activity supervisors. Thus, the greater demand for coaches comes at a time when coaching decisions have greater consequences for employers. This article discusses the current status of coaches within the high school setting, the legal history of liability, and administrative policies which should enable schools to employ effectively both full-time staff members, certified to coach, and part-time coaches.
